Found a Little Browning B78 Gem The Other Day!

Congrats on your find, it is very nice indeed.
I have had mine for over 25yrs, an octagon barrelled 22-250. I also have a Lepould 4X12 VX111 on it for the last 10yrs. I mostly take it out of the safe and shoot it on father's day but do shoot it occasionally on nice summer days. Mine has shot a fair number of deer over the years and a greater number of coyotes and gophers. I shot my first double on coyotes with it with one of them being a black phase.
With all the memories I have made with it over the years there is no way I will ever sell it and I have already promised it to my grandson when I think he is ready for it.
 
double gun said:
A 78 in 6mm with the octagonal barrel was the first gun I ever bought. I was 10, saw it on the consignment rack in Klondike arms. I had $395 in my bank account, so the shop keep called the owner with my much lower than asking price offer.

"There is a kid here who wants to offer you $395".
The owner replied "how old is he?"
"10" said the shop keep.
"sell it to him," replied the owner.

And I had my first rifle. :) like a jack ass I traded it on a abolt a few years later.
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For he's a jolly good fellow...
 
Beautiful rifle. I had an octagonal barrel .22-250 in a B78 many years ago, foolishly sold it. I remember shortly after getting my driver's licence, I came across a newspaper ad from a local shop for a big sale, and one of the items listed was that gun, brand new, for $399. I was in love with the B78, didn't own one, and excitedly blurted out "Wow...Sports Afield is selling a B78 for only $399!" My father, sitting in the same room, didn't even look up from his newspaper, but merely drawled "Well, why don't you run out and buy it?" I purposely ignored the sarcasm (I was a kid with a part-time job and very little money...400 bucks was a fortune to me), got up, left the room, hopped in my Dodge Polara, said a little prayer as I turned the key...and the car started! This was an obvious omen that could not be misinterpreted. I drove down and bought the gun; paid mostly in 1's, 2's and 5's. The conversation when I got home with it was long and spirited! :)

OP, keep an eye on that nice oval silver plate on the grip cap. Mine had a disconcerting habit of falling off, and numerous attempts to re-attach it permanently all met with only limited and temporary success.
 
My Son got his first apprentice placement as a HD mechanic, after a few camp shifts came home a small package with a card (actually on a cancelled cheque) with a note to me and his Mom. I know you wouldn't take money.... thank you for all the support love you both. Opened the package and was new loading dies for a .243... geeze thanks Son all we need now is the rifle to go with it. He said, Pops it's paid for and at the gun shop, B78 you looked at the other day.... can't thank you enough for the years of support. Holy! This B78 is immaculate, hardly been fired and was in a collection that was being sold. So now proud owner of a 243, put on a Vortex 4-16x42 scope and currently developing loads. It's gonna be a shooter for sure. Wonderful gift in so many ways, very proud parents!

J
 
jcart said:
My Son got his first apprentice placement as a HD mechanic, after a few camp shifts came home a small package with a card (actually on a cancelled cheque) with a note to me and his Mom. I know you wouldn't take money.... thank you for all the support love you both. Opened the package and was new loading dies for a .243... geeze thanks Son all we need now is the rifle to go with it. He said, Pops it's paid for and at the gun shop, B78 you looked at the other day.... can't thank you enough for the years of support. Holy! This B78 is immaculate, hardly been fired and was in a collection that was being sold. So now proud owner of a 243, put on a Vortex 4-16x42 scope and currently developing loads. It's gonna be a shooter for sure. Wonderful gift in so many ways, very proud parents!

J
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You raised a good kid right there, you should be proud.
 
Nice find! Funny how the little shop in a backwoods town had a gem like that!

My buddy has a Browning single (forgive my ignorance I am not familiar with all the differences in models!) in 25-06 that is quite the shooter too. A couple years ago we were on his back deck having some venison on the grill when a coyote popped out in the back field about 200 yards away, his teenage son made a b-line for the gun cabinet and came back with the Browning and one shell, he promptly flopped down and took aim, when the rifle cracked splinters went flying every where! He had lined up the muzzle right behind one of the wooden ballisters of the deck! Oh we laughed! Poor kid was embarrased, and the dam coyote just stood there as if he knew the kid only had the one shot!
 
Love the B-78 and the OP's is a beautiful one. Miroku always puts a nice finish on the wood and metal.

There is strong je ne sais quoi with all well made beautiful single shot rifle and the Brownings hold a special place.

Plus, it makes you a better shot because you need to make it count.
 
It is too bad Photobucket is extorting all of it's members for hundreds of dollars to do 3rd party picture hosting... so many of these old threads are going to be messed up.

I will kick this one off with a CGN hosted picture... get your CGN memberships folks!

B-78's in .22-250, .30/06 and .45/70;

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